Yes, We Shave Our Butt Too. (And How to Get the Best Results)
You, us, the Kardashians – everybody has butt hair.
Even in a culture of oversharing, butt hair hardly ever gets mentioned. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have questions. Sure we do!
Body hair – wherever it is – shouldn’t be something to be embarrassed about. It’s perfectly natural and something we all have.
“This is a normal finding,” says Estee Williams, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “It’s not a cause for concern. Patients with thick, dark hair are more likely to have buttocks hairs than those with fine or lighter hair.”
In this article, we’re going to explore everything butt-hair related and how you can shave it off. Only if you want to, of course!
Your Butt Hair is there for a Reason
According to dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, “Women tend to have vellus hair — also known as peach fuzz — on the cheeks of the buttocks with darker, terminal hairs developing closer to the anus.”
But it’s nothing to be concerned over.
“Body hair served an evolutionary purpose of keeping us warm,” he explains. “Hair on the body can generally be categorized as having the same purpose as hair in the genital area or buttock.”
Every individual is unique. Some people get more, less, thinner, and thicker hair. While there’s definitely nothing wrong with butt hair, you can easily get rid of it if you’d like an ultra-smooth booty.
HOW TO SHAVE YOUR BUTT
If you’d like to go for the traditional hair removal method, try shaving your booty. It’s really effective for getting rid of any unwanted hairs. Still, you’ll want to make sure you do it correctly as you could end up cutting yourself or getting razor burn. In addition to causing inflammation, you could also increase your chances of infection.
“Any time you shave or wax, that hair follicle on your skin is going to be opened up,” says OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton, MD. “That makes it easy for bacteria to enter and cause an infection.”
Clean the Area First
First things first, hop in the shower and clean the area before putting a razor to it. Butt shaving puts you at risk of developing folliculitis, a minor infection that develops within the hair follicle. By keeping the area clean, you’ll prevent that from happening. We recommend trying Truly’s Moon Jelly Adaptogenic Body Cleanser for a skin de-stressing wash pre-shave.
Apply Shaving Cream
Use ample shaving cream if you want to avoid getting cuts.
“Hydration softens the hair and skin, which helps reduce the amount of force it takes the razor to cut through the hair during a shave,” explains Elizabeth Compo, senior scientist at Venus. “Lubrication gives just the right amount of slipperiness between the blades and the skin.”
Without shaving cream you’ll be more prone to irritation and ingrown hairs. There are many great formulas to choose from like Truly’s Coco Cloud Whipped Luxury Shave Butter.
Shave
Using a brand-new razor with one or two blades, hold your skin taut, and very slowly shave the area using small strokes. Doing this will protect your skin against nicks and cuts. Make sure you only use this razor for your bum area. Don’t use a razor that you’ve used on other body parts, as this may cause an infection. And don’t scrimp on a cheap, poor quality razor. We recommend investing in a good razor to enjoy a smooth, bump-free butt shave.
Moisturize
Regardless of the hair removal method you’re using, bear in mind that the process affects both the hair and skin. To keep your skin healthy and smooth, make sure you keep the area well moisturized. A dry, irritated skin barrier can cause razor burn and may lead to ingrowns. Protect it by applying a nourishing lotion straight after shaving.
Remember to steer clear of alpha or beta hydroxy acids, vitamin C, and retinol in products as these can cause irritation when applied directly to shaved cream. Instead, look for gentler products like those in Truly’s Booty Bundle. Inside you’ll find a Buns of Glowry Polish, Butter and Serum which will help lock in hydration post-bum shave.
Consider Laser Hair Removal
If you find that butt shaving isn’t working for you, try laser hair removal instead.
“I am finding laser hair removal in this area [to be] increasingly popular in my practice,” says Dr. Zeichner. “When done carefully, it is possible to remove the hair safely.”
For laser hair removal to work its best, you will need to complete six to eight treatments. Of course, how many sessions you’ll need will depend on the amount of hair and thickness. For best results, space your appointments about four weeks apart to allow the full hair growth cycle to occur between laser treatments.
According to dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara, “The treatments aren’t actually that painful.” She says, “Butts are pretty sturdy. And having coarse, dark hair actually makes you a better candidate for laser, since the laser identifies hair via pigment.”
Following a laser treatment, you can reduce irritation by applying a soothing balm or cortisone cream. If you’re unsure, check with your derm to make sure the product is okay to apply to the butt. Avoid wearing tight clothing afterward to allow your booty time to heal.
Or Butt Waxing
Waxing is another go-to for removing hair in the butt area. But if you’re going to choose this hair removal route, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
“Get it professionally done because your hair grows in all different directions, and it’s awkward to wax back there and do it yourself,” advises Sharon Acheson, the Head Esthetician and Manager of Bare Wax Bar. “You can also break the hair and then ingrown hairs can grow, and it’s hard to treat them back in that area.”
To shave or not to shave the butt? There’s no correct answer to that question. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to get rid of your butt hair or wear it proudly. Just make sure that if you do want to remove it, you do it correctly.
